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Jelitto · Seeds of more than 3700 different species and varieties
HELLEBORUS niger
Plant Description
| Life Cycle: | Perennial |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Origin: | Southern Alps, northern Italy, Austria and northwest through the Balkans |
| Distinction: | Award of Garden Merit (A.G.M.) from the Royal Horticultural Society. |
| Special Features: | Gorgeous, pure white blossoms at a time when flowering is scarce. Very long-lived. Long-lasting cut flowers. Early spring flowering. Dislikes boggy soils. |
| Historical: | Cultivated since Roman times. |
| Basic Colour: | (white / cream) |
| Flower Colour: | white |
| Natural Flowering Period: | November - February |
| Winter Hardiness Zones: |
Z3 - Z8
|
| Foliage: | thick, leathery |
| Growth Habit: | clumping |
| Height with Flowers: | 35 cm |
| Spacing between Plants: | 45 cm |
| Soil Requirements: | alkaline / average |
| Location: | |
| Characteristics: | toxic plant / medicinal plant / groundcover |
| Usage: | honey-bee food plant / suitable for cutting |
| Grams per 1000 seeds: | 9.09091 Gram |
| Seeds per Gram (does not correspond to the number of plants!): |
110 |
| Gram to get 1000 plants (if sown directly into pots etc. you will need a larger quantity): |
50 Gram |
| Sowing Rates/Trays: | 5 per cell |
| Plug tray recommended size(s): | open flats / 72 |
| Sowing Direction: |
(19) To stop the germination inhibition give seeds a warm compost (about +22°C) [about 72°F] with constant humidity for at least 6 weeks. Then keep cold (–4 to +4°C) [25 to 39°F] for 6–8 weeks. Usually, the germination starts at +4°C [39°F]. Raise temperatures gradually up to +10°C [50°F] until germination is completed. If the warm or cold period was not long enough the seeds will not germinate until the following year. They will then need another warm period (summer) and a cold period (winter). Well-known examples: Cimicifuga and Helleborus.
|
| Best Sowing Date (northern Hemisphere, Field condition): |
early summer - late summer |
| Sowing Time Hint: | For best results sow after harvest, approx. July. |
| Sowing to Germination: | 16 - 24 weeks |
| Germination to Transplant: | 4 - 8 weeks |
| Transplanting to Potting: | 6 - 10 weeks |
| Cutting back at Transplanting: | Not Necessary. |
| Container Size(s): | 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2") / 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6") |
| Vernalization: | There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality. |
| Forcing: | This species is not a suitable candidate for forcing. |
| Fertilizer: | Medium (150-200 ppm) |
